Parents' Guide to Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is that rare beast: a fun, scary movie for kids that won't actually terrify them. Which is perfect, because every October, many parents and children are eager to get into the Halloween spirit with some kind of ghoulish experience, but no one wants nightmares. Goosebumps 2 strikes exactly the right balance for the elementary set with its story, tone, and shivers. The plot is set in motion by the world's creepiest ventriloquist dummy, Slappy, who comes to life through an incantation and initially wins over his human friends by helping them with his powers -- all things that will never happen in real life. Slappy just wants to be part of a human family, and when he's denied that, he tries to create one of his own by bringing the town's Halloween costumes and decorations to life. Director Ari Sandel cleverly plays on the uneasy feeling that some kids experience when looking at Halloween decor while simultaneously giving that discomfort real-life resolution -- because the creatures are just as ridiculous as they are spooky. For example, gummy bears combine and grow to an enormous size, then attack by blobbing themselves onto our heroes.

Casting fresh faces in the young roles also helps kids put themselves in the heroes' shoes, while the supporting adult cast consists of comedic actors who know how to bring a smile to every line (Jeong and Black never disappoint). We all feel more empowered when we "survive" a spine-chilling movie; when kids emerge from the theater with a smirk of pride on their face saying the words, "I wasn't scared!" you realize that Goosebumps 2's best trick is the real treat.